Senator Risa Hontiveros urges the government to buy modern jeeps and rent them to jeepney drivers to facilitate the implementation of the program.
Hontiveros insisted that the big problem also needs a big solution.
She added that the Department of Transportation (DoTr) needs to ask for help from the Landbank and Development Bank of the Philippines and even the asset management entities.
The senator suggests that the modern jeeps can be leased to the cooperatives, which are not sure if they can handle the financial capability of the modernization program.
And in case the cooperative decides to rent to own the unit as well,.
Besides, Hontiveros also said that one of the possible remedies is to give permission to local government units to own and operate modern fleets through contract agreements with transport cooperatives.
Hontiveros further warned that forcing drivers to disappear from the streets could result in a lack of public transport in the country.
April 30, 2024, is the deadline for franchise consolidation of operators and drivers in cooperatives.
The DoTr and LTFRB have previously called on jeepney drivers not to be forced to drive on the streets because of the possibility that they may be penalized.